[achan0225]

My 5 month old puppy is doing pretty good so far with the potty training. There has been very few accidents in the house and would stand by the door and whine when he wants to go potty. Problem is he gets distracted and starts chasing bugs and digging in grass once he's outside or he will attack the leash and thinks he's playing. After a couple of minutes if I see that he is not going and just playing, I come right back inside. Then he will whine and want to go back outside. Sometimes I don't know if he just wants to go outside and play or he forgets he has to go once he's outside. What should I do? It's been over 2 months since I've got him and feed him on a regular schedule but just cannot get his potty on schedule. Also, he cannot "hold" it just yet. If I don't catch his signal that he wants to go, then he will just go in the house. Is it too soon to expect him to hold it?

[TooneyDogs]

Full bladder control happens around 6 months of age so you'll have to give him a little more time.

The distractions are very normal. It's part of investigating and learning about the world. Don't be too quick to kill that curiosity/learning process. Spend the time with him and start teaching him the "Go Potty" command. You say that command as he is physically going potty and praise and treat when he's done. At first, the command won't mean anything but, with time he will learn it.

[Elana55]

Another idea is to have the potty place one specific area of the yard so when you go there he knows it is Potty time (this takes time too). Other areas of the yard are for chasing bugs etc.

How much do you walk your dog? How much play time does he get? Is he getting lots and lots of exercise and one on one time with you and other people?